{"id":224935,"date":"2025-09-14T01:07:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T01:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/224935\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T01:07:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T01:07:08","slug":"snapshots-tuch-fleming-walman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/224935\/","title":{"rendered":"Snapshots: Tuch, Fleming, Walman"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Buffalo Sabres are looking to end their 14-year playoff drought this season, and if they\u2019re going to do so, it\u2019ll be in large part due to the contributions of Upstate New York native Alex Tuch<\/a><\/strong>. The 29-year-old winger has been stellar for the Sabres since arriving from Vegas as part of the Jack Eichel<\/a><\/strong> trade, and after scoring 36 goals and 67 points last season, the power forward is in line for a significant raise from his current $4.75MM AAV. A pending unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, Tuch\u2019s contract situation will be one of the key storylines to watch for the Sabres this season.<\/p>\n

As of right now, nothing appears imminent, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period<\/a>. Pagnotta reports that the Sabres \u201cwant to lock [Tuch] up\u201d by signing him to a new contract, but \u201chaven\u2019t gotten to that point yet.\u201d With the trade<\/a> of J.J. Peterka<\/a><\/strong> to the Utah Mammoth this past summer, Tuch\u2019s contributions will be even more important to the Sabres immediate and long-term future. The only major bump in pay for next year on the Sabres\u2019 books, at this point, is the increase of Jeff Skinner<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s buyout cap hit from $4.4MM to $6.4MM, so it appears the Sabres will have the financial flexibility to afford a new deal for Tuch \u2013 whether he re-signs will likely come down to the preferences of the player.<\/p>\n

In other news from across the NHL:<\/p>\n